At the AGM, held March 27, 2023, it was reported that the Society had met its mission, which states: “We exist to ensure that no one needs to walk alone through their grief journey”.
This Mission has existed, and stood firm, for 33 years and will continue into the future, having been supported for most of that time by funding from valued community F.C.S.S. sources in the areas of The City of Lloydminster, the Towns of Vermilion and Wainwright, the Villages of Marwayne and Kitscoty, and the County of Vermilion River.
The Society has been able to offer adult support groups in Lloydminster, Vermilion and Wainwright as well as providing one-on-one sessions in those locations and in Kitscoty.
Gayle Barnes is the coordinator for the programs for children and youth, known as Hope after Loss - Audra’s Legacy, developed in partnership with VIBE, and has been offered since 2016. With the help of trained volunteer facilitators, support is given to children aged 6 to 11 years and 12 to 16 years, in two 10-week sessions held during the school year. The response to this program has been very encouraging and positive.
During the year presentations were made in the area, entitled “Navigating the Holidays and the Years of Firsts.” Unfortunately, these were not well attended. A presentation was also made at Lakeland College, Lloydminster Campus, for students, found to be very appropriate.
The Society, in partnership with F.C.S.S. and Alberta Health, hosted a presentation on “What’s for Dinner, Eating for Healthy Aging” presented by Caroline McAuley, with about thirty people in attendance.
The Society’s volunteers carried out some fundraising activities, including helping out at the Vermilion Lions banquet, and a golf tournament in Lloydminster. Resources and information were made available t the Vermilion Fair and at the VIBE Art Gala in Vermilion. Volunteers and resources were also available at the Annual Walk of Remembrance in Lloydminster and the Annual Wellness Clinic in Vermilion.
Seven new volunteer facilitators were trained and will be quickly offered the opportunity to become involved in the Society’s programming. Referrals continue to come to the Society from community agencies and individual professional practices, and the Society also takes advantage of the opportunities to refer its’ sojourners lor contacts to those practices or agencies, as necessary, for appropriate supports.
The Society is grateful for the partnerships developed with agencies in the communities, enjoying the relationships that have come about over the years. With partnerships, dedicated volunteers and the on-going F.C.S.S. funding support, we anticipate that
the Walking Through Grief Society will be able to continue to offer support services in the years to come.
To assist the Society with development of future programs and services, we would ask the local communities to let us know what the Society can do for them, in the way of providing related services to
their community in the coming year or year.
Back Row: Jackie Crichton, Kevin Nelson, Daryl Frank, Patricia Calyniuk, Alana Pinkoski-Benoit, Candice Anderson, Victoria Lauzon, John Scott
Front Row: Wendy Phipps, Shirley Scott, Gayle Barnes
Missing: Marie Belsheim, George Fraser, Mandy Peters
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